COPPS - Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving
Community Oriented Policing and Problem Solving (COPPS) is a departmental wide philosophy that the Police Department has been working toward for many years. We have been increasing our work in partnership with citizens, businesses and civic groups to help solve problems that affect our quality of life in Tallahassee. COPPS represents the core of the police response to problems within the neighborhoods. The response to long term problems often involve the collaboration of partnerships with a variety of community and neighborhood groups helps our community in many ways. COPPS program help other officers with long-term follow-up on problems and can assist with increased enforcement as well as other aspects of problem solving. These officers rapidly respond to unique neighborhood issues throughout the city. They are most frequently recognized through their specially outfitted police mountain bikes and unique police uniforms.
COPPS employs a variety of techniques to tackle neighborhood problems in their district. They accomplish this by coordinating both short term and long-term responses to the complex problems they face each day. The problems range from speeding cars to drug houses to auto burglary problems to children in trouble. They focus on permanently solving the problem through positive relationships with the community.
While responding to short-term problems, these officers may be seen riding mountain bikes through problem areas, business areas and neighborhoods throughout Tallahassee. Officers that work closely in the community away from their cars usually build stronger bonds and effectiveness. The COPPS officers work all hours of the day and night to conduct the investigations that result in the closure of nuisance locations under the Nuisance Abatement Ordinance.